Take a Knee, My Ass (I Won't Take a Knee)

"Take a Knee, My Ass (I Won't Take a Knee)" is an song recorded by American country music artist Neal McCoy, and was released on November 10, 2017. The song conveys McCoy's self-avowed patriotism, as well as his displeasure towards football players protesting police brutality during the national anthem.

"Take a Knee, My Ass (I Won't Take a Knee)"
Single by Neal McCoy
ReleasedNovember 10, 2017 (2017-11-10)
Genre
Length3:00
LabelNealbilly Music 903
Songwriter(s)Dan Roberts
Neal McCoy singles chronology
"Can You Do This"
(2014)		 "Take a Knee, My Ass (I Won't Take a Knee)"
(2017)

Background

McCoy stated that "Take a Knee, My Ass" was made in response to American football players' kneeling during the national anthem; McCoy found the footballers' actions disrespectful.[1][2] However, McCoy said that he empathised with their cause.[3] He also intended for the song to "bring people together".[2]

Dan Roberts, who was a fellow country singer and McCoy's friend, wrote the original lyrics of "Take a Knee, My Ass".[2] McCoy claimed to have edited out some lyrics that were more "uncomfortable for me" and "more race-oriented".[2] Before recording the song, McCoy performed it live at a concert in Missouri.[4]

Release and reception
I’ve entertained our troops in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and all over the world. So, no, this is not a money grab. This is a guy that believes in our country, that does not like people kneeling, not standing with their hands over their hearts, for the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. That’s what I’m about.

—Neal McCoy[1]

"Take a Knee, My Ass" was released on November 10, 2017,[5] to commercial success; it peaked at no. 4 on Amazon's and iTunes digital country songs charts.[6] It also reached the Top 50 of Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart and was described as McCoy's "revival" hit.[7]

However, the song was not favourably received by critics, many of whom criticised McCoy's mischaracterisation of kneeling during the anthem as disrespectful towards the military.[1][8] Sean Newell of Vice Sports described it as "dumb, disingenuous, and devoid of any redeeming qualities" and derided its rhyme scheme and melody.[1] Rachel Kraus of Mashable called the song "trash", and wrote that "(it) represents the most insidious form of bigotry masked as patriotism. It's simplistic, divisive, and wrong-headed."[8] William Hughes of The A.V. Club said of the song, "(it) sounds, to the casual listener, like McCoy is ordering his own buttocks to drop to the ground and pay their ass-y respects."[9]

Chart history
Chart (2017) Peak
position
Country Digital Download Sales (Billboard)[10] 19
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] 49

Release history
Region Date Format Label
United States[5] 10 November 2017 Digital download Nealbilly Music 903

See also

References
  1. Newell, Sean (November 20, 2017). "Here is a Song Called 'Take a Knee, My Ass (I Won't Take a Knee)'". Vice Sports.
  2. Kang, Jay Caspian (December 19, 2017). ""Take a Knee... My Ass" brought this '90s country singer back into the spotlight". Vice News.
  3. Augustn, Carmille. "Country Singer Neal McCoy Under Fire For 'Take A Knee… My Ass' Song". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  4. Tyree, Elizabeth (November 15, 2017). "Country star creates song taking aim at kneeling during National Anthem". WSET.
  5. "Take a Knee My Ass – Single". iTunes. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  6. Robertson, Valerie (November 20, 2017). "Song about NFL protests, 'Take a Knee My A--,' climbs country-music charts". Washington Times.
  7. Moser, John (April 13, 2018). "Country favorite Neal McCoy, rockers Fuel and Soul Asylum, veteran Dave Mason set for Penn's Peak". The Morning Call.
  8. Kraus, Rachel (November 18, 2017). "Country song 'Take A Knee, My Ass' criticizes NFL protests". Mashable.
  9. Hughes, William (November 17, 2017). "Hot new country track "Take A Knee, My Ass (I Won't Take A Knee)" confusingly protests something or other". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  10. "Neal McCoy Chart History (Digital Download Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  11. "Neal McCoy Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
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